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Horror Cult Classic

When a meteor crashes into a mob dumping ground, the local swimming hole becomes ground zero for undead chaos.

THE DAY IT CAME TO EARTH

April 7, 1936, seen on a lonely highway near Tucson, Arizona...January 12, 1941, seen outside Lincoln, Nebraska...And then...

1977 · 1h 28m · PG · Horror / Science Fiction · IMDB TMDB

A glowing meteor falls into a secluded pond into which Mafia hitmen have dumped the body of one of their victims. Students from the local college use the pond for a swimming hole. Then the fun begins.

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Quick Answer

What is The Day It Came to Earth about?

The Day It Came to Earth is a 1977 American horror and science fiction film directed by Harry Thomason about a meteor that reanimates a mob victim's body in a small town pond, leading to strange encounters for local college students.

Programmer's Pick

Between mobsters, meteors, and college swim parties, this Arkansas-shot oddity proves you don’t need a big budget for big weirdness. If you ever wondered what happens when a Mafia dumping ground gets an alien upgrade, here’s your answer.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

A glowing, mysterious meteor crashes into a secluded pond just after local mobsters have used it to dump the body of their latest victim. Unbeknownst to the unsuspecting college students who regularly use the pond as their favorite swimming hole, the meteor’s arrival sets off a bizarre chain of events. As the meteor’s eerie power fuses with the criminal underworld’s dirty secrets, a group of students, a professor, and some police officers find themselves caught in the middle of something far stranger than a typical practical joke. The tone blends classic small-town sci-fi oddity with horror elements, promising a mix of youthful mischief, mob shenanigans, and extraterrestrial weirdness.

Details & Specs

Director
Harry Thomason
Writer
Paul Fisk
Release
1977
Runtime
1h 28m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Horror, Science Fiction
Also Known As
Le jour où il arriva sur la terre

Why This Matters

This low-budget regional sci-fi film, shot in Little Rock, Arkansas, achieved modest drive-in success and later gained cult exposure through syndicated television showcases like Elvira's Movie Macabre and Svengoolie.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Harry Thomason Writer: Paul Fisk
RM Roger Manning Ronnie McGuire Rita Wilson Rita Wilson Debbie Wink Roberts Wink Roberts Eddy Newton DD Delight De Bruine Sally Baxter RG Robert Ginnaven Lt. Mike Kelley LA Lyle Armstrong Sgt. Larry Pinkerton George Gobel George Gobel The Professor Ed Lover Ed Lover The Creature / Lou Jacoby JB Joe Barone A Gangster CR Conrad Rothmann A Gangster LH Lou Hoffman Desk Sgt. Frank BE Bill Elfstrom Mayor Taylor BE Bill Eubanks The Mayor's Aide LS LeRoy Slaughter The Drunk Driver George Stewart George Stewart Campus Security Guard DY Diane Yanniger Dorm Receptionist Dick Curtis Dick Curtis Tear-gas Officer Curtis BB Bill Boren Police Photographer Bobby JW J. W. Best A Policeman PC Paul Clark A Policeman GA Glen Arnold A Policeman PM Paula Means Sorority Officer DM Dinah McKinnie Sorority Officer BE Betty Elleins A Student LH Linda Howerton A Student SM Shannon McKinnis A Student MT Monica Thaxton A Student EH Elaina Henley A Student JB Jim Bailey A Student JF John Fields A Student MH Mike Harris A Student TS Tim Stewart A Stuldent LN Lee Nelson Animal Control Officer

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Why Cult

Meteor Mob Collision

A meteor crashes into a pond hiding a mob victim, setting off a chain of supernatural events.

Swimming Hole Horror

College students turn an innocent swim into a sci-fi nightmare when the local watering hole becomes ground zero for the undead.

Zombie Mob Victims

The meteor’s power reanimates a gangster’s corpse, putting a new spin on small-town crime.

Small Town Oddity

From haunted houses to practical jokes, the film blends horror and sci-fi with college-town weirdness.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Meteor crashes into pond

Threat

Reanimated mob victim

Effect

Supernatural events at the swimming hole

Setting

Small town pond

Questions from the Vault

When was The Day It Came to Earth released? +

The Day It Came to Earth was released in 1977.

Who directed The Day It Came to Earth? +

The Day It Came to Earth was directed by Harry Thomason.

How long is The Day It Came to Earth? +

The Day It Came to Earth has a runtime of 88 minutes.

What genre is The Day It Came to Earth? +

The Day It Came to Earth is a horror and science fiction film.

Trailers & Clips

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